Coffee Shop Owner Feels 'Violated' After Police Order Coffee Following Knifepoint Bike Theft
Steve Bassi, the 71-year-old owner of Bartons coffee shop in Bermondsey, said he felt 'violated' after a customer's high-value bicycle was stolen at knifepoint in broad daylight, with Metropolitan Police officers arriving over an hour later—only to order coffee rather than investigate the crime. The incident, which occurred on Friday, February 21, has sparked outrage and highlighted concerns about policing in London.
Brazen Daylight Robbery Shocks American Visitor
Onar Cranny, a 26-year-old originally from Delaware in the United States, was enjoying coffee outside Bartons with her friend Patrick Archer from Canada when two men dressed in black pulled up on a motorbike. The pair had just completed a 25km cycle ride and were preparing to leave after purchasing coffee and pastries. In a matter of seconds, the thieves grabbed Ms. Cranny's Trek Madone bicycle, which can cost up to £5,000 and was purchased just one week prior with money inherited from her grandfather.
When Mr. Archer moved to block the theft, one of the men pulled out a knife, forcing him to back away with his hands in the air. One thief then slowly slung the bicycle over his shoulder before both men drove away on the motorbike. Ms. Cranny described the experience as 'definitely terrifying' and expressed shock at the brazen nature of the crime, which occurred around 11:00 AM on a Saturday.
Police Response Criticised as Inadequate
According to Mr. Bassi, the theft happened at 10:55 AM, but it took more than an hour for police to arrive at the scene. Approximately 35 minutes after the incident, four uniformed officers entered Bartons, but they only came to order coffee, not to investigate the robbery. Mr. Bassi recounted, 'We had a police van turn up with several officers and we thought they had come to deal with this crime, but they had just come for coffee and said, 'Oh, I'm sure somebody will turn up soon.''
The coffee shop owner, originally from Forest Hill, said he and his staff felt 'violated and really, really angry' by the ordeal. He emphasised that 'this shouldn't happen' in London and expressed disappointment in the delayed police response. In response, Mr. Bassi started a GoFundMe fundraiser for Ms. Cranny, stating he felt guilty as visitors to the country were robbed in such a manner.
Wider Concerns About Crime in the Capital
Mr. Bassi also criticised London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, and the government for inadequate policing funding. He claimed, 'We’ve got a mayor who doesn’t fund proper policing and the prime minister does nothing. Crime in London is crazy.' He added that a nearby shop was robbed at gunpoint late last year, and police are rarely seen unless they are ordering coffee.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London responded that Sir Sadiq is 'determined to crack down on all thefts and robberies' and has invested £1.26 billion in policing to enhance visible patrols in hotspot areas. Meanwhile, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson acknowledged the distressing impact of such crimes but explained that response times were affected because no one was injured, the stolen item was not immediately traceable, and suspects had fled. They confirmed that a detective has taken a formal statement and that officers are reviewing CCTV evidence.
Investigation Ongoing with CCTV Evidence
CCTV footage captured the theft, and a neighbour had filmed the suspects on the motorbike earlier that day, having been suspicious of their movements. Ms. Cranny, who is training for a half Ironman in October with her partner, said the support from Mr. Bassi's fundraiser showed 'there's still good people in the world.' The investigation continues as police work to gather evidence and provide reassurance to the community.
